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Unclaimed Funds Rules and Guidance

What are Unclaimed Funds?

Unclaimed funds are funds held by the court for an owner or recipient who is entitled to money, but who has failed to claim ownership of it. The United States Courts, as custodians of such funds, have established policies and procedures for holding, safeguarding and accounting for these funds. If a valid claim is made for these funds, the funds are disbursed from a Treasury deposit or registry fund account.

Unclaimed Fund Creditor Search

The following link will allow a search of the court’s unclaimed funds database:

Provides documentation evidencing “ownership” of the unclaimed funds and

Completes and provides the required AO 213 Form. The AO 213 Form must be signed. Digital and electronic signatures will not be accepted.

Procedure and Instructions

1. If you are the Owner of the funds (as named in the court record):

When you file your Motion for Payment of Unclaimed Funds, separately email the court’s Financial Department a completed AO 213 Form to <tnmbml_financial@tnmb.uscourts.gov>.

Notarized Signature of the Owner/Claimant of the funds.

Please identify the bankruptcy case name and number in the subject line of your email and indicate you are providing the AO 213 Form.

Do not attach the AO 213 Form to the Motion for Payment of Unclaimed Funds you file with the court. The AO 213 Form is provided only to the Financial Department.

2. If you are the Successor Business Claimant of a transferred claim:

Include with your motion documentation establishing ownership of the claim, a Notarized Power of Attorney from an officer of the successor business, along with Proof of the officer’s authority.

For transferred claims, provide proof of the successor claimant’s identity.

Provide documentation to show chain of ownership from the original Claimant to the successor claimant or a transfer of claim.

When the Motion for Payment of Unclaimed Funds is filed, separately provide the court’s Financial Department the completed AO 213 Form emailed to <tnmbml_financial@tnmb.uscourts.gov>. Do not attach the AO 213 Form to the Motion for Payment of Unclaimed Funds.

Please identify the bankruptcy case name and number in the subject line of your email and indicate you are providing the AO 213 Form.

3. A Decedent’s Estate:

Documentation establishing owner of funds.

Proof of identity for both the owner of record and the estate administrator.

Certified copies of probate documents proving movant’s right to act on owner’s behalf.

When the Motion for Payment of Unclaimed Funds is filed, separately provide the court's Financial Department the completed AO 213 Form emailed to <tnmbml_financial@tnmb.uscourts.gov>. Do not attach the AO 213 Form to the Motion for Payment of Unclaimed Funds.

Please identify the bankruptcy case name and number in the subject line of your email and indicate you are providing the AO 213 Form.

4. Funds Locators or Owners Representatives:

Documentation establishing owner of funds.

Name and address of owner of funds and claimant.

Power of attorney indicating representation, signed by owner of funds. Original and notarized.

Proof of representative's identity.

When the Motion for Payment of Unclaimed Funds is filed, separately provide the court's Financial Department the completed AO 213 Form emailed toto <tnmbml_financial@tnmb.uscourts.gov>. Do not attach the AO 213 Form to the Motion for Payment of Unclaimed Funds.

Please identify the bankruptcy case name and number in the subject line of your email and indicate you are providing the AO 213 Form.